Machine for seaming end closures to container barrels



April 15, 1941- J. F. PRICE 2,233,372

MACHINE FOR SEAMING END CLOSURES TO CONTAINER BARRELS INVENTOR.

A TTORNE YS.

April 15, 1941. 1 F, PRICE 2,238,372

MACHINE FOR SEAMING END CLOSURES TO CONTAINER BARRELS Filed pct. 5, 1959` s sheets-sheet 2 BY @Mw ATTORNEYS.

April 15, 1941. J `F, PRICE 2,238,372

MACHINE FOR SEAMING END CLOSURES TO CONTAINER BARRELS A TORNEYS,

Patented Apr. 15, 1941 MACHINE Foa SEAMING END cLosUaEs 'ro comma Banners John F. Price, Fulton, N. Y.,

Fulton,

Falls Corporation, of New York assigner to Oswego N. Y., a corporation Application October 5, 1939, Serial No. 298,079

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for securing an end closure to a container barrel. The end closure is secured to the barrel by crimping a channel shaped ring member into engagement with the end closure and the end of the barrel. A machine oi' this typeis described in Patent No. 2,113,699 issued April 12, 1938, to Edward N. Lowry, and more specifically this invention consists of certain improvements in the machine shown in the Lowry patent.

In the Lowry machine, the container barrel was placed upon the container barrel support Y with the end closure placed on the end of the barrel. Thereupon, the operator applied pressure to a foot pedal. The movement of the foot pedal eiected movement of the container in alinement with the seaming apparatus and subsequently effected relative axial movement between the container and the seaming apparatus to effect the crimping operation. Upon removal of the pressure on the foot pedal, a reverse series oi movements were effected to return the container to initial position. The Lowry machine has proven to be most satisfactory in operation, with the exception that the operator becomes fatigued if it is necessary to operate the machine continuously over long periods of time.

This invention has as an object a machine of the type referred to embodying a construction which operates automatically to effect the seaming or crimping operation. In accordance with this invention, it is only necessary for the operator to slip the container barrel onto the container support, place the end closure or crimping ring on the end oi' the container barrel, and swing the barrel into alinement with thev crimping mechanism. Thereafter, the machine operates automatically under power to eiect relative axial movement between the container and the head of the machine to properly position the crimping ring with respect to the crimping rolls, and to move the rolls into operative engagement with the ring. When the crimping operation is completed, the parts are moved automatically in reverse order and the container support returned to initial positon. With this construction, the operator may operate `two machines over long periods of time with less fatigue than formerly with the foot operated machine, with the result that the production of assembled containers is materially increased, and with the further advantage that the crimping operation is uniform on all containers.

In describing thisv invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure i is a vertical, sectional view of a machine involving my invention with parts shown in elevation, and with the container support shifted to bring the end of the container into operative relationship to the crimping mecha-y nism.

Figure 2 is a view, similar to Figure l, with parts omitted, showing the container support shifted in normal position to receive a container, or to permit removal of the assembled container.

Figure .3 is a fragmentary, elevational view, looking from left to right Figure 2, oi the cam mechanism for effecting relative axial movement between the container support and the head of the machine with the cam shown in section.

Figure 4 is a top, plan view with parts broken away of the driving clutch mechanism for operatively connecting the cam mechanism to the driving motor,

Figure 5 is an inverted plan view of the driven gear associated with the clutch mechanism of Figure 4.

The frame of the machine consists of a base I0 formed with a iiat top wall II and depending legs I2. A plurality of rods I3 are secured at their. lower ends to the base I 0 and extend upwardly to support a head I4. A pair of crimping rolls I5, I 6 are -journalled in the head Iand are operatively connected to a motor I 'I which eiects continuous rotation of the rolls. The head I4 is formed with a circular groove 20 to receive and guide the upper end of the container barrel and the ring which is crimped thereto. The roll I5 is `ournalled Within the groove 2 with the periphery of the roll positioned to engage the inner side of the ring 2l. The roll I 6 is journalled in ya housing 22 pivotally mounted in the head, as at 23. radially from the periphery of the roll I5 by a spring 24 acting between the head and the lower end of the housing 22.

The motor here shown is supplied with a reduction unit 25, the driven shaft of which is secured to a driving clutch member 26 which, in turn, coacts with a driven clutch member 21 keyed to a. shaft 28, to the lower end of which is secured the inner roll I5. The rolls I5, I6 are operatively connected by gears 29, 30, the gear 30 being keyed to the shaft 28, and the gear 29 keyed to the spindle of roll I6. The gears 29, 30 are in constant mesh in both the in and out positions oi' the housing 22.

The driving clutch section 2S is provided with The roll I6 is normally spaced a plurality of spring pressed pins adjustable as at 3|, and which act as a slip clutch to prevent injury to the seaming mechanism should it in any Way become jammed.

The construction of the head i4, the arrangement of the rolls I5, I6, and the driving motor I1, is substantially the same as that shown in the Lowry patent referred to, with the exception that the head is provided with a rearwardly extending gear housing 35 in which driving gears and clutch mechanism are arranged to effect operation of the machine, as will be hereinafter described.

The container support consists of a shaft 36 pivotally mounted at its lower end to the base I and provided intermediate its ends with a conical support member 31. IThe support 31 is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 36 and is supported by a collar 38 adjustable axially of the shaft 36 to accommodate different lengths of containers. A helical compression spring 46 is arranged between the support member 31 and. the collar 36, whereby the container is yieldingly supported on the shaft 36. A wheel or disk di is rotatably mounted upon the upper end of the shaft 36 to properly guide and position the upper end of the container barrel.

The lower end of the shaft 36 is pivotally mounted at 42 to the end of a link 63, the opposite end of which is pivotally mounted to a boss 44 extending upwardly from the top li of the base. A second link extending forwardly is also pivotally connected at one end at 62, and its opposite end is pivotally connected to a link 46, as at 46.

The lower end of the link 66 is pivotally connected to a lever 41 extending rearwardly and pivoted intermediate its ends as at 46 to the under side of the base. The rear portion of the lever 41 extends through la slot 49 in the rear of the base and is pivotally connected to a vertically extending bar 50, as ati. The lower end of the link 45 is also pivotally connected to a piston 52 slidably mounted in a cylinder 53 pivotally mounted at its lower end to the under side of the base ID. The piston 52 and cylinder 53 act as a dash pot to control the pivotal movement of the shaft 36. The lower end of the shaft 36 is provided with a roller 54 arranged to engage a block 55 secured to the under side of the base.

The block 55 is provided with a slot 56 which cor acts with the roller 54 to guide the shaft 36 vertically when the same has been moved in axial alinement with the head I4. The arrangement is such that when the shaft 36 is moved to lowered position, as shown in Figure 2, the shaft extends forwardly in angular relationship to the axis of the head I4 to permit a container barrel 60 to be placed on the container support and removed therefrom. Upon upward movement of the link 45, the shaft 36 is first moved into vertical position and subsequently moved vertically to bring the upper end of the barrel 66, or the ring 2| placed thereon, into the slot 20 of the head I4.

In the machine shown in the Lowry patent referred to, the pivotal and vertical movement of the shaft 36 was effected by operation of the foot pedal extending forwardly of the base of the machine, In the present construction, the container support, including the shaft 36, is moved from the container receiving position in Figure 2 to vertical position, as shown in Figure 1, by the operator pushing the container inwardly toward the axis of the machine. As soon as the container and container support .approach vertical position, power is applied to the shaft 36 by the `is adjustably secured to the shaft 62.

motor I1. The shaft is elevated to position the top of the container in proper relation with the rollers i6, I6. The roller I6 is then moved radially toward the roll i5, the crimping operation performed, the roll i6 released and subsequently the shaft 36 lowered and permitted to swing outwardly, as shown in Figure 2.

The mechanism for effecting these movements consists of a power shaft 62 journalled at its upper end in the rearwardly extending gear casing 35 and at its lower end in a bracket 63 extending rearwardly from the base I0. The driven member 65 is of cylindrical formation and is formed with an aperture arranged at one side of the shaft 62 to receive a clutch pin 66. rI'he clutch pin 66 is rotatably mounted in the member 65 and has secured to it a jaw member 61 extending radially through a slot formed in the periphery of the member 65. That portion 68 of the pin 66 extending above the top surface of the member 65 is of semi-circular formation. A driving clutch member, in the form of a gear 69, is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 62 immediately above the driven member 65, The under side of the gear 69 is formed with an annular recess 16, and a plurality of semi-circular apertures 1l spaced apart circumferentially of the gear 63, The arrangement is such that the semicircular top portion 66 of the pin 66 is normally in the position shown in Figure 4. This is accomplished by the outer end of the jaw 61 engaging a stop 13. The gear 69 and the driven member 65 are rotated clockwise, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 4. Accordingly, when the jaw 61 engages the stop 13, the pin 66 is rotated to move the semi-circular top portion 68 of the pin out of any of the semi-circular recesses 1I in the gear 63 and accordingly, the member 65 becomes unclutched from the gear 69.

The jaw 61 is urged in a clockwise direction (Figure 4) by a helical tension spring 15, one end of which is secured to the jaw and the opposite end to the driven member 65. Accordingly, when the stop 13 is moved out of engagement with the jaw 61, the jaw is moved -about the axis of 'the pin 66 and the top portion 68 of the -pin is moved into one of the semi-circular recesses 1|, as indicated in dotted outline at 16, Figure 5. The driven member 65 is then clutched to the gear 69.

The gear 69 meshes with a pinion 11 mounted on a stud 18 in the head I4, The pinion 11 is arranged in combination with a gear 19 arranged in mesh with a gear 80 mounted on the shaft 28. Accordingly, the gear 69 is continually rotated, and movement of the stop 13 effects engagement and disengagement of the power shaft 62 with the motor I1.

The stop 13 is secured to the upper end of the bar 50. Accordingly, when the container and the container support is swung inwardly from the position shown in Figure 2, the bar 50 is moved downwardly by the link and lever 41 a suilicient distance to move the stop 13 out of engagement with the jaw 61.

The power shaft 62 is provided with cam means cooper-able with the bar to effect further downward movement of the bar and accordingly, further upward movement of the shaft 36 to move the container axially into the head I4. A cam 82 The periphery of the cam 82 is formed with a slot having a portion 83 of appreciable width and a narrow portion 84.

When the machine is inthe position shown in Figure 2, the stop 13 is in engagement with the jaw 81 and the wide portion 83 ofthe peripheral cam is arranged adjacent the bar 8l. The bar 80 is provided with a roller 88 arranged in the slot of the cam. With the parts in this position, partial downward movement of the bar 88 by swinging the container support inwardly is permitted because of the wide portion 83 of the cam, When the bar 50 has been moved downwardly by the initial inward movement of the container and container support, and power has been applied to the shaft 82, the cam 82 is rotated and the bar 50 is moved downwardly by the narrow portion 84 of the cam slot. 'Ihis portion 84 is of appreciable length and maintains the bar 80 in lowered position during the crimping operation.

Means is also provided for moving the housing 22 inwardly to press the roller i8 into engagement with the outer surface of the ring 2l to effect the crimping thereof. A second cam 88 is adiustably secured to the shaft 82 above the cam 82. This cam is arranged to engage a bracket 81\pivotally mounted at it upper end to the housing 22, as at 88. The lower, end of the bracket 81 is urged outwardly from the housing 22 by a helical compression spring 88. En-

gagement of the bracket 81 by the. cam 88 eifects inward movement of the bracket 81 and housing 22 and accordingly maintains the roll i8 in engagement with .the ring 2|.

The arrangement is such that when the container and container support areV4 moved inwardly toward vertical position, the bar 88 is moved downward suiilciently to move the stop 13 out oi engagement with the jaw 81. Thereupon, the shaft S2 is clutched to the gear 89 and the cams 82, 86 rotated. The cam 82 causes further downward movement of the bar 58 effecting elevation of the shaft 38 to position the container in the head Il. When the container is thus positioned, the cam 88 engages the bracket 81 moving the roll i8 into engagement with the outer side of the ring 2i. The container is rotated on the shaft 38 by the rolls I5, I8, and the ring 2l securely crimped into engagement with the barrel of the container. Eventually the wide portion 83 of the cam 82 is moved in juxtaposition to the bar 50, permitting the bar 58 to move upwardly and at this'time the cam 88 has moved out of engagement with the bracket 81 permitting the springs 2l, 89 to move the roller I8 out l of engagement with the ring 2l. Inasmuch as the roller 88 is now positioned in the wide portion 83 of the cam 82, thevbar 50 is permitted to move upwardly, permittingthe container and container support to move downwardly, and to swing outwardly, as shown in Figure 2. At this time, the bar 50 has moved the stop 13 upwardly, and Ithe stop is engaged by the outer end of the jaw 81 unclutching the driven member 88 from the gear 89.

In order to prevent rotation of the driven member 85 after the stop 13 has been moved out of engagement with jaw 81, and before the upper portion 88 of the pin 88 has been moved into one o! the recesses 1l, a tubular member 80 is secured in the inner side of lthe gear casing 35 and is provided with a ball 9| pressed inwardly by compression spring 82. The member 85 is provided with a ilat 83 positioned relative to the stop 13 so that the ball 8l engages the ilat 83 when the driving and driven elements have been P unclutched. The ball 8l acts as a yielding means to prevent rotation oi' the member 88 until it has been positively clutched to the gear 88 through the pin 88.

It will be observed that I have provided a simple and eillcient mechanism for rendering the crimping operation of the machine automatic.

What I claim is:

l. A machine for securing a ring member to the end of a container barrel comprising a frame, a head mounted on the frame, a pair oi'- seaming rolls iournalled in said head, one of said rolls being movable toward and from the other, a container support movably mounted in the frame and extending in angular relation to said head when in initial position and being movable into axial alinement with said head, a motor operatively connected -to said rolls to eiect rotation thereof, and means operable by said motor. upon movement ofthe container support into alinement with the head, to eiiect axial movement of said support toward-the head and to move said movable roller into engagement with the ring member and to subsequently return said movable roller and container support to normal position. A

2. A machine for securing a ring member to the end of a container barrel comprising a frame, a head carried by the frame, a pair of seeming rolls ,iournalled in said head and being normally arranged in spaced apart relation, one of said rolls being radially movable relative to the other, a container support carried by the frame, said support normally extending in angular relation to the axis of said head for the reception oi the container barrel with the ring member thereon, and said containensupport being movable into axial alinement with said head, .a motor operatively connected to said seeming rolls to` eiiect rotation thereof, and means operable by the motor upon movement of the container support in alinement with said head to eect relative axial movement between said head and said container support to position the ring member between said seaming rolls, and to move said movable roll into. engagement withthe ring member and to subsequently move said roll out oi' engagement with the ringmember and return saidcontainer support to normal position.

3. A machine for crimping a metallic ring into engagement with the endl or a container barrel comprising a frame, a head mounted on the frame, a pair oi' crimping rolls jolu'nalled in said head, one o1' said rolls being movable radially toward. and from the other, means yieldingly maintaining said rolls in spaced apart relation, a container support pivotally mounted in the frame and normally extending in angular relationship to the axis of said head for the reception of they containerbarrel, and being movable about its pivot in axial alinement with said head, a motor mounted on the head and operatively connected to said rolls to eii'ect rotation thereof, and means operable by said motor upon movement of said container support in alinement with said head to effect relative axial movement between said head and the container support to position said ring member between said rolls and to move said movable roll into engagement with said ring, and said means being subsequently operable to move said roll out of engagement with said ring. and to return said container support to normal position.

4. A machine for securing a channel shaped ring member to the end of a container barrel comprising a base, a head mounted on said base in spaced apart relationship thereto, arcontainer support pivotally mounted on the base and normally extending inangular relationship to the axis of the head for the reception of a container barrel and being movable into axial alinement with said head, a pair of seaming rolls journalled in said head, a motor mounted on the head and operatively connected to said seaming rolls to eifect rotation thereof, cam means operable when actuated to effect movement of one of said rolls toward and from the other, and a second cam means operable when actuated to effect relative axial movement between said container support and said head, and motion transmitting means cooperable with said container support upon movement of the same in alinement with said head to operatively connect said cam means with said motor for actuation thereby.

5. A machine for crimping a metallic ring into engagement with the end of a container barrel comprising a frame, a head mounted on the frame, a pair of crimping rolls journalled in said head, one of said rolls being movable radially toward and from the other, and means yieldingly maintaining said rolls in spaced apart relation, a container support. pivotally mounted in the frame and normally extending in angular relationship to the axis of said head for the reception of the container barrel and being movable about its pivot in axial alinementv with said head, a motor mounted on the head and operatively connected to said rolls to effect rotation thereof, a power shaft journalled in-the frame,

cam means munted on said shaft and operable, 5

upon rotation of said shaft, to move said movable roll toward and from said other roll and to effect axial movement of said container support toward and from said head to move the end of the container ing position relative to said rolls, and clutch means operable, upon movement of said container support into alinement with said head, to connect said power shaft to the motor.

6. A machine for crimping a metallic ring into engagement with the end of a container barrel comprising a frame, -a head mounted on the frame, a pair of'crimping rolls journalled in said head, one of said rolls being movable radially toward and from the other, and means yieldingly maintaining said rolls in spaced apart relation, a container support pivotally mounted in the frame and normally extending in angular relationship to the axis of said head for the reception of the container barrel and being movable about its pivot in axial alinement with said head, a motor mounted on the head and operatively connected to said rolls to effect rotation thereof, a power` shaft journalled in the frame, cam means mounted on said shaft and operable vupon a single revolution thereof to successively move said container support toward said head to position the end of the container in crimping relation to the rolls, move said movable roll into engagement with the end of the container, move said roll out of engagement with the container, and subsequently move said container support from said head, clutch means operable, upon movement of said container support into alinement with the head, to connect said shaft to the motor, and means operable to automatically disconnect said shaft from the motor when said shaft has rotated one revolution.

'7. A machine for crimping a metallic ring into engagement with ithe end of a container barrel comprising a frame, a head mounted on the frame, a pair of crimping rolls journalled in said head, one of said rolls being movable radially toward and from the other, and means yieldingly maintaining said rolls in spaced apart rebarrel into and 'out of crimplation, a container support pivotally mounted in the frame and normally extending in angular relationship to the axis of said head for the reception of the container barrel and being movable about its pivot in axial alinement with said head, a motor mounted on the head and operatively connected to said rolls to effect rotation thereof, a power shaft journalled in the frame, cam means carried by said shaft and cooperable upon a single revolution of said shaft to successively move said container support toward said head to position the end of the container in crimping relation to the rolls, move said movable roll into engagement with the end of the container, move said roll out of engagement with the container, and subsequently move said container support from said head, a driving member journalled in the frame and being operatively connected to said motor, a driven member mounted on said power shaft and clutch means operable, upon movement of said container support into alinement with the head, to connect said driving and driven members, and means operable to automatically disengage said clutch when said power shaft has rotated one revolution.

8. A machine for crimping a metallic ring into engagement 'with the end of a container barrel comprising a frame, a head mounted on the frame, a pair of crimping rolls journalled in said head, one of said rolls being movable radially toward and from the other, and means yieldingly maintaining said rolls in spaced apart relation, a container support pivotally mounted in the frame and normally extending in angular relationship to the axis of said head for the reception of the container barrel and being movable about its pivot in axial alinement with said head, a motor mounted on the head and operatively connected to said rolls to effect rotation thereof, a power shaft journalled in the frame, clutch means operable upon engagement to connect said power shaft to said motor, linkage associated with said container support and operable to maintain said clutch in disengaged position while said container support is in normal position and being operable to move said clutch into engagement upon movement of the container support in alinement with said head, a cam carried by said power shaft and cooperable upon one revolution thereof to move said movable roller toward and from said other roller, a second cam carried by said power shaft and cooperable upon one revolution of said shaft to move the container support toward and from said head, and said second cam being cooperable with said linkage to effect movement of the same to disengage said clutch.

9. A machine for crimping a metallic ring into engagement with the end of a container barrel comprising a frame, a head mounted on the frame, a pair of crimping rolls journalled in said head, one of said rolls being movable radially toward and from the other, and means yieldingly maintaining said rolls in spaced apart relation, a container support pivotally mounted in the frame and normally extending in angular relationship to the axis of said head for the reception of the container barrel and being movable about its pivot in axial alinement with said head, a motor mounted on the head and operatively connected to said rolls to effect rotation thereof, a power shaft journalled in the frame, clutch means operable upon engagement to connect said power shaft to said motor, linkage associated with said container support and operable to maintain said clutch in disengaged position while said container support is in normal position and being operable to move said clutch into engagement upon movement of the container support in alinement with said head, a cam carried by 6 said power shaft and cooperable upon one revolution thereof to move said movable roller to- 

